MISSOULA — Nettie Lee Brown, 77, former Deer Park, Washington resident, passed away on April 3, 2018, with her family by her side. She was a resident of Hillside Rest Home in Missoula at the time of her passing.
Her parents, Floyd and Effie Akins, her sister Alta Lynch, her brothers Otto Akins, W.O. Akins, Arlis Akins, and Andrew Akins preceded her in death.
Nettie is survived by her husband George Brown; her brothers Floyd Akins, and E.G. Akins; her son Gregory Brown and his children, Tiffany Tritz, Krystle Darlow and Gregory Brown Jr., as well as four great grandchildren, Isaac Tritz, Hudsyn Brown, Brooklyn Tritz and Avery Darlow.
Nettie was born in Lead Hill, Arkansas. Her family relocated near Yakima, Washington in 1945. She attended Highland High School in Cowiche, Washington. She and George caught each other’s eyes in high school and were married in 1959. Nettie worked in orchards in her late teens and spent some of her money on nice clothes. She always wanted to look nice and did.
Nettie worked at Boeing in the 1960s. In 1968, she and her husband George opened Brown’s Thrift grocery. Nettie wore many hats as a checker, baker and cake decorator, deli clerk, among other grocery duties in the stores.
When Nettie was not working in the stores she could be found at home working in the yard and kitchen. She loved to cook and care for her family. She was an excellent host, always ready with a meal and hot coffee. She ran a ship-shape home and was never able to sit still if there was work to be done.
She attended church and was dedicated to The Lord. She loved to shop for her grandchildren, making sure they were never without. She was an energetic grandmother, who gave lively horsey-rides with grandchildren and later, great grandchildren. She was even known to crawl on the floor, playing hide and seek at 75 years young.
Nettie and George were residents of Renton, Othello, Odessa, Colfax and Deer Park, Washington. During Nettie’s retirement, she and her husband enjoyed spending winters in Surprise, Arizona. They traveled and spent time visiting family.
Her devoted husband, beloved son, grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins will miss Nettie immeasurably. She was one-of-a-kind and her family will forever remember all of the wisdom and kindness she shared with us.
Nettie’s family would like to recognize and thank The Village Rest Home and Hillside Rest Home in Missoula for quality of service.
A funeral will be held on Friday, April 6, 2018, at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home at 10:30 a.m. There will be a viewing at the funeral home in the morning before the service. There will be a reception at the funeral home community room following the graveside service.
Memorial donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org).
